The live-streamed fundraiser from New York City turned more serious as other celebrities talked about the ACLU's role in a changing nation

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Actor Tom Hanks as seen in this February 2017 file photo in Beverly Hills, California.

Tom Hanks, Alec Baldwin and other stars joined in an online fundraiser for the American Civil Liberties Union, urging the public to help protect rights they warned are in jeopardy.

Hanks said actions such as President Donald Trump's attempted travel ban represent a "brand of tragedy" and not the America the actor learned about as a youngster.

The fundraiser, live-streamed Friday from New York City, included studio and videotaped appearances by Tracy Morgan, Jon Hamm, Steve Buscemi and Sterling K. Brown. Norah Jones, Usher and The Roots were among the musical performers.

Laughs were mixed with gravity throughout. Hanks, who conducted a lesson on the U.S. Constitution, also chatted with two ACLU lawyers he teasingly nicknamed for action stars Bruce Willis and Sandra Bullock.